Edward Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36 / Introduction & Allegro for Strings, Op. 47 / Serenade for Strings, Op. 20 - London Philharmonic Orchestra / Vernon Handley

1. Enigma Variations for orchestra, Op.36
Composed by Edward Elgar
Performed by London Philharmonic Orchestra with David Bell
Conducted by Vernon Handley , Peter Manning

2. Introduction and Allegro for string quartet & string orchestra in G major, Op. 47
Composed by Edward Elgar
Performed by London Philharmonic Orchestra with Alexander Cameron , Russell Gilbert , Rusen Gunes
Conducted by Vernon Handley , Peter Manning

3. Serenade for strings in E Minor, Op.20
Composed by Edward Elgar
Performed by London Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by Vernon Handley , Peter Manning

Tracks:

Air 'On the G String' - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Morning - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Canon In D - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Gymnopedie No.1 - City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
II. Andante - Stephen Hough
Viens, Mallika - Mady Mesple
In Paradisum - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
Clair De Lune - Dame Moura Lympany
II. Andate - Yehudi Menuhin
The Swan - Osian Ellis
II. Lento E Largo - Tranquillissimo - Zofia Kilanowicz
II. Andantino - James Galway
II. Largo - Yehudi Menuhin
Nimrod - London Symphony Orchestra
Blow the Wind - Pie Jesu - Jocelyn Pook
Variation 18 - Cecile Ousset
Pavane Op.50 - Gareth Morris

Tracks:

Zion Hort Die Wachter Singen - South German Madrigal Choir
Adagio In G Minor - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
Minuet - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
II. Largo - Andrei Gavrilov
Meditation - Hans Kalafusz
I. Adagio Sostenuto - Dame Moura Lympany
Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour (Barcarolle) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
II. Andante - Nigel North
II. Adagio - Jack Brymer
Intermezzo - Philharmonia Orchestra
I. Moderato - London Chamber Orchestra
O Mio Babbino Caro - Montserrat Caballe
Fantasia On 'Greensleeves' - Sinfonia Of London
II. Adagio Sostenuto (Opening) - Cecile Ousset
Nocturne - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
II. Adagio (Opening) - Julian Bream
Adagio For Strings Op.11a - The Philadelphia Orchestra
Entr'acte To Act III - Orchestre National De France

Amazon.com

You want relaxing classical music that'll soothe your soul but won't lull you into sleep? Here's a double CD for you. The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World ... Ever! does its best to cover both well-worn classical favorites (Bach's "Air on the G String," Pachelbel's "Cannon," Debussy's "Clair de Lune") and some eclectic left-field choices (an excerpt from Górecki's Symphony No. 3, Jocelyn Pook's "Blow the Wind," and Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. The performances of most of these excerpts are top-notch--artists include Sir Neville Marriner, James Galway, Jacqueline du Pré and the Philadelphia Orchestra--and there's enough variety here for everyone. --Edward Garabedian

Customer Reviews:

Lives Up To The Title, Fine Variety Of Genre's........2007-02-04

This CD is a great way to enjoy a large variety of Classical Composers & many of their best known pieces. Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," is an all time favorite. There are vocals, Piano pieces, & some fine Violins. I found the latter the most enjoyable. Here you can find Rodrigo & Pachelbell. Samuel Barber's haunting Adagio will make your skin tingle. This may not be to everyones taste, but if you wish to relax? Give this a couple of listens.

Good for relaxing pregnant women.......2007-01-17

I stumbled onto this album whilst searching bit torrent websites for classical music. I don't normally listen to classical music but thought it might be relaxing for my pregnant wife. After hearing the quality of the performances, the arrangement, and the recording I decided to buy the album from amazon. All the songs you would expect from a "best album in the world" are there and they are not boring to listen to like a lot of other classical albums. I now play this album in the car constantly and the wife requested it be played at the hospital during the birth.

Too much opera.......2007-01-10

If it wasn't for the opera this would be a great CD.

Does what it set out to do, very well.......2006-11-15

So i'm a classical music veteran, someone who prefers to collect a complete work, rather than classical compilations. I probably would not have listened to this album at all if my dad didnt buy it for me as a gift. By now, i own the complete works that over half of the excepts on this disc come from. I am a purist if ever there was one.

That said, i totally adore this set because i have learned to take it on its own terms. These discs weren't meant for expert classical listeners, so a review from that sort of mindset is useless. This set was meant for pure, easy listening, and for a basic starters kit for classical newbies. Most of all, it was just meant to do what the title says, to relax the average human being. classical expert or not.

Yes, some of these pieces have been altered or shortened, like Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto Andantino, but they have been edited for a good enough reason: the full versions would have been too long to flow with the rest of the album. And also, the full versions contain so much development that they don't become easy listening anymore. The shortened versions work in the context of the album. Most essentially, the shortened versions on the discs still convey the main flavor the composers were going for. The melodies and themes remain unchanged.

To sum up, it is true that when i want to actually listen deeply to classical music, this album would never be a choice. I would want to hear the complete works like the composers intended. But at certain times when i simply don't mind about that stuff, when i just need to loosen up and free my mind of stress with some nice melodies, this set does the job well enough.

Last but not least: being a purist and a classical buff, i am very particular about performance quality. I was very glad to find that EMI did not get lazy about this. All the artists are world-class, and all the performances are at least exceptional. Some performances are even quite excellent, like the Clair De Lune, which is one of the best i've heard. (Credit to Dame Lympany, the pianist.)

So once again, recommended for its stated purpose, to relax. I am a purist, a classical buff, and i still enjoy this disc. That says something.

TRULY The most relaxing and beautiful music ever written........2006-11-10

This album along with Volume 2 are now the two most valued albums in my music collection. I have all of the songs contained on these two albums but they are scattered through at least a dozen different albums and several are not performed by artists such as those that recorded this album and Volume 2.
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

Enigma
A Moving Experience
Great performance; great recording
Gardiner shines in Elgar, but it's the orchestra you'll want this CD for
Convincing interpretations, not so convincing sound

Elgar: Enigma Variations
Edward Elgar , John Eliot Gardiner , and Wiener Philharmoniker
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Best of Elgar
Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance Marches Op. 39; Enigma Variations Op. 36
Elgar: Cello Concerto; Sea Pictures; Cockaigne Overture
Schubert: 8 Symphonies
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 1-5

ASIN: B00005UW3R
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Tracks:

In The South (Alassio)
Introduction And Allegro
Sospiri
Enigma Variations - Andante
Enigma Variations - I, C.A.E
Enigma Variations - Ii, H.D.S.-P.
Enigma Variations - Iii, R.B.T.
Enigma Variations - Iv, W.M.B.
Enigma Variations - V, R.P.A.
Enigma Variations - Vi, Ysobel
Enigma Variations - Vii, Troyte
Enigma Variations - Viii, W.N.
Enigma Variations - Ix, Nimrod
Enigma Variations - X, Intermezzo- Dorabella
Enigma Variations - Xi, G.R.S.
Enigma Variations - Xii, B.G.N.
Enigma Variations - Xiii, Romanza- ---
Enigma Variations - Xiv, Finale- E.D.U.

Customer Reviews:

Enigma.......2007-01-11

What a wonderful performance of this beloved piece. The orchestra is very responsive to the conductor who is probably one of the finest in our age.

A Moving Experience.......2007-01-09

For anyone who enjoys classical music, beware. This is some of the most powerful music this or that side of Beethoven. Excellent sound quality as well, this CD is a real treat.

Great performance; great recording.......2006-02-13

These Enigma Variations are as good as any I've ever heard, and better than most. That dark, fullbodied sound really helps. The Alassio overture is indeed Straussian, and that's no drawback. The great Sospiri, one of the most beautiful works I know, doesn't match Hurst's or Barbirolli's versions precisely because the sound is too big, with an overabundance of strings. But Gardiner's version is still a wonderful experience. Try his Chabrier disc, also with the VPO--it's fine also.

Gardiner shines in Elgar, but it's the orchestra you'll want this CD for.......2005-09-24

Gardiner is a fairly ordinary conductor technically, not remotely in the same league as the great ones who have appeared with the Vienna Phil. But here the sheer luxury of hearing that amazing orchestra doing Elgar, especially "In the South," makes this a very special CD. I can think of greater readings of each piece, particularly under Barbirolli, but who has ever heard them in such aristocratic surroundings?

Convincing interpretations, not so convincing sound.......2005-07-26

When I purchased this CD, it was solely for the Enigma Variations, as I had never heard the three other pieces before. This changed, but more on that in a bit. I hoped that Gardiner might make some sense out of one of Elgar's most popular pieces, and it seems he has.
This performance is cohesive and the music flows naturally. Gardiner uses a lot of tempo fluctuation and rubato, but he does it naturally and doesn't force anything. He follows Elgar's tempos about half of the time, and if he doesn't, it isn't in blatant disregard. There are no variations that stand out in this bunch, and all the movements relate to each other. All too often Nimrod is given "special treatment" and as the centerpiece of many conductors' interpretations, it becomes bloated. While it was a special variation to Elgar, and Gardiner gives a little more emphasis to it, he manages to "beat the bloat" and doesn't pour syrup all over the music.
I should mention the other selections before I go any further. This was the first time I had heard 'In the South', 'Introduction and Allegro', and 'Sospiri'. In the South is, in my opinion, Elgar's best concert overture, and it has never ceased to thrill me. As another reviewer pointed out, these pieces are not just filler pieces, they are substantial works, and underperformed as well.
After listening to these works for a while, I am surprised at the distinct German style that is inherent in the recordings. The Enigma Variations here resemble Brahms more than any of Elgar's English counterparts. Likewise with In the South and its striking affinity to Strauss - a lot like Don Juan. The program notes even mentioned Sospiri resembling late Mahler in its oblique relationship between melody and harmony. It is clear that Gardiner places at least some of the music of Elgar with the late German romantics, and he chose this program as the best representation of that idea. There are a lot of links already, actually. To name two of them, the Elgars visited Bavaria several times, and Hans Richter, the well-known Brahms/Dvorak interpreter, was a good friend and conducted Elgar's works frequently. Gardiner's conducting style, his choice of collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic, and even the recording style (mentioned by another reviewer) all seem to point Elgar in the direction of German music. Whether or not it is a good choice is up to the listener, of course. In my opinion, there are drawbacks. One is that he mic placements wreak havoc on the balance. There is something else I would also like to point out that hasn't already been mentioned. The Vienna Philharmonic usually doesn't do too much English music. While they are one of the world's best orchestras and respond confidently to Gardiner's direction, they can still be intimidated. The high technical demands this music makes of them combined with the unfamiliar territory lead them to underemphasize the meticulous dynamic contrasts which Elgar wrote. Ususally the brisk passages which are marked ff and fff are underplayed, and as if to compensate for this, the lyrical passages, often marked pp or ppp, are played somewhere between p and mp, and with too much angst (the close miking only makes it worse). This can often ruin a piece, though in this case the VP doesn't do it all the time, and at the same time, they are still technically outstanding and devastatingly musical. I give them four stars. An English orchestra would probably receive 5 due to the experience. Listen to Gardiner's Holst CD with the Philharmonia and you will see what I'm talking about.
Gardiner gets four stars as well for an intelligent and thoughtful interpretation, though sometimes I might not agree with it. The sound gets two stars - bad balance and stuffiness. Overall, this is an excellent recording to which I give the benefit of the doubt (thus 4 stars instead of 3), and I highly recommend it.

Average customer rating:

Best of Elgar

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance Marches Op. 39; Enigma Variations Op. 36
Elgar: Enigma Variations
The Best of Fauré
The Best of Shostakovich
Best of Prokofiev

ASIN: B0000014HN
Release Date: 1997-03-18

Tracks:

Pomp And Circumstance March In D Major, Op. 39, No. 1
Enigma Variations, Op. 36: Nimrod
Intoduction And Allegro, Op. 47
Cello Concerto In E minor, Op. 85 - Adagio
Salut d'amour, Op. 12
Symphony No. 1In A Flat Major, Op. 55, - Andante nobilmente e semplice (Excerpt)
Serenade For Strings In E Minor, Op. 20: Larghetto
Serenade For Strings In E Minor, Op. 20: Allegretto
Violin Concerto In B Minor Op. 61 - Andante
Pomp and Circumstance March In G Major, Op. 39, No. 4
Cockaigne Overture (In London Town), Op. 40

Average customer rating:

Nice Mood Setting Music
This CD stays in my car player
Beautiful interpretations
great music! not so great sound variations!
A great, great collection!

Romantic Adagios

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Movie Adagios
Evening Adagios
Romantic Adagios 2
Violin Adagios
Cello Adagios

ASIN: B00004C8TG
Release Date: 2000-06-13

Tracks:

Adagio For Strings: Barber: Adagio for Strings
Meditation (Thais): Massenet: Meditation (Thais)
Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, op. 18
Gymnopedies 1 and 3: Satie: Gymnopedies 1 and 3
Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K622: Mozart : Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K622
Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia (Spartacus): Khachaturian: Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia
Sonata in C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 'Moonlight': Beethoven : Sonata in C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2 'Moonlight'
Kol Nidrei: Bruch: Kol Nidrei
Nimrod (Enigma variations): Elgar: Nimrod (Enigma variations)
Symphony No. 5 In C Sharp Minor: Mahler: Symphony No. 5 in C Sharp Minor

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K467: Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K467
Andante cantabile (String quartet No. 1): Tchaikovski: Andante cantabile (String quartet No. 1)
Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor: Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor
Symphony No. 9 in E minor ' From the New World': Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 in E minor ' From the New World'
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini: Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Intermezzo (Cavalleria Rusticana): Mascagni: Intermezzo (Cavalleria rusticana)
Clair de Lune: Debussy: Clair de lune
Concierto de Aranjuez: Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez - Adagio
The Carnival Of The Animals: Saint-Saens: The Swan
Piano Concerto No. 2 In F Major, Op. 102: Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, op. 102 - Andante
Pavane, op 50: Faure: Pavane, op 50

Customer Reviews:

Nice Mood Setting Music.......2007-05-25

This is a very nice cd to listen to and sip red wine in one's back yard while reading a good book. Well worth to add to your collection.

This CD stays in my car player.......2005-07-25

This CD is one that I think even non-classical music lovers would like. It isn't too "classical" and some of the songs are the kind that keep going though your head until you can't help but play the disc again. It is a two disc set and priced no higher than most singles.

Beautiful interpretations.......2004-01-25

I agree with a previous reviewer on the minor problem
of variations in volume. Beyond that, I find every
piece beautiful. This interpretation of Barber's
Adagio is the most passionate I have ever heard. I also
find the Faure selection very touching. I love the
vocals. I recommend this set to anyone, if for no
other reason than the Barber piece.

great music! not so great sound variations!.......2003-07-07

The selections and the arrangements are truly excellent. There are some hard to find (on the same CD) pieces and adagios--Spartacus ; Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez; Mascagni's Intermezzo from Cavelleria...
But, better turn up the sound and then get away from the speakers. Parts of the selections are played so very softly that, when you turn up the volume to hear them, you will get blasted by those sections that have cresendos, or just plain louder sections. Too bad!
Very hard to enjoy in a car--or, even at home. if this problem did not exist, this is a 5 star plus!

A great, great collection!.......2001-10-01

I was stunned to see only two and a half stars for romantic adagios. I don't know how much you get to know by listening to only one "song" out of so many in this collection, but in my opinion this CD collection deserves a lot of credit. I had heard of Samuel Barber's Adagio for strings many times before and I was impressed but this was the first time that I was completely mesmerized. I highly recommend to any Barber fans to listen to this interpretation by David Zinman which is incredible. There seems to be so much passion and emotion! Also others such as Adagio of Spartacus and Clarinet Concerto just make the collection even better.

Average customer rating:

a terrific compilation for beginners
"Classical heartbreakers" broke my heart
A Fantastic Compilation

Classical Heartbreakers

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000B09Z9
Release Date: 2004-01-13

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 - Andre Previn
Intermezzo - Philharmonia Orchestra
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini - Sir Simon Rattle
O Mio Babbino Caro - London Symphony Orchestra
Viola Da Bamba Sonata In G Minor - Ton Koopman
Beim Schlafengehen - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Schindler's List Theme - Tasmin Little
Clair De Lune - Dame Moura Lympany
Symphony No. 5 - New Philharmonia Orchestra
Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana - Philharmonia Orchestra
Moonlight Sonata - Dame Moura Lympany
Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor - Yehudi Menuhin
E Lucevan Le Stelle - Georges Pretre
Nocturne In C Sharp Minor - Maria Tipo
Adagio For Strings - Philadelphia Orchestra
Cello Concerto - English Chamber Orchestra
Piano Concerto No. 2 In F - English Chamber Orchestra
Va Pensiero - Bernard Haitink

Tracks:

Adagio In G Minor - Sir Neville Marriner
The Heart Asks Pleasure First / The Promise - Michael Nyman
Time To Say Goodbye - Orchestra
Goldberg Variations - Maria Tipo
Barcarolle - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Piano Concerto No. 2 - Sir Simon Rattle
Nimrod - London Symphony Orchestra
Vissi D'art - Maria Callas
Cavatina - Manuel Barrueco & Steve Morse
String Quintet In C - Laszlo Varga
J'ai Perdu Mon Eurydice - John Eliot Gardiner
Etude In E 'Tristesse' - John Ogdon
Addio Del Passato - London Symphony Orchestra
Double Violin Concerto - Bath Festival Orchestra
Queen Symphony - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Piano Concerto No. 1 - Garrick Ohlsson
In Paradisum - English Chamber Orchestra
My Heart Will Go On - Orchestra
Rhapsody In Blue - Andre Previn

Customer Reviews:

a terrific compilation for beginners.......2006-02-07

I agree with P. Grupe-for classical music lovers, it is a let down to listen to cut tracks of well-performed classical greats, like Chopin's 1st piano concerto in this collection. Nonetheless, this is a terrific compilation for people beginning to get interested in classical music. This compilation is an eclectic mix of the familiar (Beethoven's moonlight sonata, Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini variation no. 18, Myer's Cavatina, Barber's "Adagio for Strings, etc.), the contemporary (Michael Nyman's The Promise, Horner's My Heart Will Go On), and the truly moving (Bach's Double Violin Concerto, Bruch's Violin Concerto, Schubert's String Quintet in C)-relatively obscure pieces usually left out in less inspired and mediocre classical music compilations. It is gratifying to see that opera music has not been left out. Get this cd if only for the Maria Callas tracks, Lucia Popp's performance of Strauss' Beim Schlafengehen, and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's Addio del passato.

"Classical heartbreakers" broke my heart.......2004-06-27

I am an avid listener of classical music, and I purchased this CD expecting to get some of the best classical music ever composed. I guess I expected a bit much though. Although the recording is filled with high quality performances of fantastic pieces, I was disappointed to find that only about half of the pieces are contained in their entirety on this 2-disc set. Songs such as Rhapsody in Blue and Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata were not recorded in full for this album, which caught me off guard and bothered me quite a bit.

Anybody who is unfamiliar with classical music will appreciate this album. Since it features some of the most moving classical pieces ever written, it is sure to entrance listeners. And by not placing entire 10-minute pieces on the CDs, it will not run on and bore those unaccustomed to the length of most classical music. However, if you are already well-versed in classical music and can listen to entire symphonies with ease, I would advise against buying this album. I now feel a desire to go out again and find the full versions of some of these pieces, since I feel I was cheated by only getting introductions or short movements on most of the album. Guess I should have paid a little more attention to what I was buying.

A Fantastic Compilation.......2004-05-01

Most of the musical pieces in this compilation are from versions as they appear in various movies. This is Classical music from classic movies such as: Somewhere in Time, Schindler's List, English Patient, The Piano, Platoon, et al. But make no mistake; the music is what's really worth mentioning here.

The title says it all. It claims to have "the most moving Classical music of all time," and they certainly have a case, as it is chock full of the kind of emotional pieces that can easily bring you to tears. This double CD compilation with 37 passionately beautiful pieces is a steal at $16.99.

If you've ever recorded your favorite songs on to tape, or burned them on to a CD, you'll see that this compilation is exactly what EMI Records has done. It is like a greatest hits, volume 1, of poignant Classical music. Almost all of the musical pieces are classic favorites, though there are a few contemporary ones also.

I found the music on this CD powerful and moving as advertised, and I think that Classical music fans should truly enjoy it. It is well worth the price it's being sold for, and I highly recommend it.

Since there is some missing information as to who the composers and artists are, here they are:

Disk 1

Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor Op.23: I. Allegro Non Troppo E Mol; Andre Previn; Horacio Gutierrez; The London Symphony Orchestra

Mascagni - Intermezzo (Cavalleria Rusticana) {Raging Bull}; Riccardo Muti; The Philharmonia Orchestra

Rachmaninov - Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini - Variation #18 {Somewhere in Time}; Cecile Ousset; City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Sir Simon Rattle

Puccini - O Mio Babbino Caro (Gianni Schicchi) {A Room with a View};
Montserrat Caballe; The London Symphony Orchestra; Sir Charles Mackerras

Bach - Viola da Gamba Sonata in G Minor BWV1029 - II. Adagio (Opening) {Truly, Madly, Deeply}; Jordi Savall; Ton Koopman

Richard Strauss - Beim Schlafengehen (Vier Letzte Lieder) {The Hours}; Klaus Tennstedt; London Philharmonic Orchestra; Lucia Popp

Williams - Schindler's List (Theme) {Schlinder's List}; Iain Sutherland; New World Philharmonic; Tasmin Little

Debussy - Clair de Lune {Frankie and Johnnie}; Dame Moura Lympany

Mahler - Symphony No. 5 in C Sharp Minor: IV. Adagietto (Conclusion) {Death in Venice}; New Philharmonia Orchestra; Sir John Barbirolli

Catalani - Ebben? Ne Andrò Lontana (La Wally) {Diva}; Maria Callas; The Philharmonia Orchestra; Tullio Serafin

Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Minor "Moonlight" Op. 27/2 - I. Adagio S; Dame Moura Lympany

Bruch - Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor - II. Adagio (Opening) Sir Yehudi Menuhin; The Philharmonia Orchestra; Walter Susskind

Puccini - E Lucevan le Stelle (Tosca) {The Man Who Cried}; Carlo Bergonzi; Georges Pretre; Orchestre De La Societe` Des Concerts Du Conservatoire

Chopin - Nocturne in C Sharp Minor Op. Posth {The Pianist}; Maria Tipo

Barber - Adagio for Strings {Platoon} Eugene Ormandy; Philadelphia Orchestra

Elgar - Cello Concerto in E Minor Op. 85 - I. Adagio - Moderato (Opening) {Hilary and Jackie}; London Philharmonic Orchestra; Norman Del Mar; Robert Cohen

Shostakovich - Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Op.102 - II. Andante Dmitri Alexeev; English Chamber Orchestra; Jerzy Maksymiuk

Verdi - Va, Pensiero (Chorus of Hebrew Slaves) (Nabucco) {The Godfather, Pt. 3}; Bernard Haitink; Covent Garden Chorus & Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Disk 2

Albinoni - Adagio in G Minor (Realised Giazotto) [Extract] {Gallipoli}; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Sir Neville Marriner

Nyman - Heart Asks Pleasure First/The Promise {The Piano}; Unknown artist

Quarantotto & Sartori - Time to Say Goodbye; David Abel

J.S. Bach - Goldberg Variations - Aria {The English Patient}; Maria Tipo

Offenbach - Barcarolle (Les Contes d'Hoffmann) {Life Is Beautiful}; Choeurs Rene Ducios; Clu; Elisabeth Schwartskopf; Jeannine Collard; Orchestre De La Societe` Des Concerts Du Conservatoire

Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor - II. Adagio Sostenuto (Opening) {Brief Encounter}; Cecile Ousset; City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Sir Simon Rattle

Elgar - Nimrod ("Enigma" Variations) {Elizabeth}; The London Symphony Orchestra; Sir Adrian Boult

Puccini - Vissi d'Arte (Tosca); Georges Pretre; Maria Callas; Orchestre De La Societe` Des Concerts Du Conservatoire

Myers - Cavatina {The Deer Hunter}; Manuel Barrueco; Steve Morse

Schubert - String Quintet in C D956 - II. Adagio (Opening) {Carrington}; Hungarian Quartet; Laszlo Varga

Gluck - J'Ai Perdu Mon Eurydice (Orphée et Eurydice); Anne Sofie Von Otter; John Eliot Gardiner; Orchestre De L'Opera De Lyon

Chopin - Étude in E "Tristesse" Op.10/3; John Ogden

Verdi - Attendo, Attendo...Addio del Passato (La Traviata); Dame Kiri Te Kanawa; Myung-Whun Chung; The London Symphony Orchestra

Bach - Double Violin Concerto in D Minor BWV 1043 - II. Largo Ma Non Tanto {Children of a Lesser God}; Bath Festial Orchestra; Christian Ferras; Sir Yehudi Menuhin

Kashif - Queen Symphony - III. Adagio {Who Wants to Live Forever - Save Me}; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Tolga Kashif

Chopin - Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor - II. Romance (Larghetto) (Opening) {The Truman Show}; Garrick Ohlsson; Jerzy Maksymiuk; Polish National Symphony Orchestra

Faure - In Paradisum (Requiem) {The Thin Red Line}; Cambridge Choir of Kings Choir; English Chamber Orchestra; Stephen Cleobury

Horner - My Heart Will Go On {Titanic}; David Abel

Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue (Conclusion) {Manhattan}; Andre Previn; The London Symphony Orchestra

The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the World...Ever!
Average customer rating:

Best of the Best collection of Relaxing-meditative classical music

The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the World...Ever!

Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!

ASIN: B0009S4WK2
Release Date: 2005-06-13

Tracks:

Sheep May Safely Graze From Cantata No.208 (Arr. Marriner)
Clarinet Concerto In A K622 Ii. Adagio Sabine Meyer
Concerto For Two Mandolins In G Rv532 Ii. Andante Europa Galante
Fantasia On A Theme By Thomas Tallis (Opening)
Piano Concerto No.2 In C Minor Op.18 Ii. Adagio Sostenuto (Opening)
Memories Of The Alhambra
Cello Concerto In E Minor Op.85 Iii. Adagio
Fellowship From The Film The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
Lark Ascending (Opening)
Agnus Dei From The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace
Emperor Concerto Op.73 Ii. Adagio (Trans. Craig Leon)
Violin Concerto No.1 In G Minor Op.26 Ii. Adagio (Opening)
Voca Me
Nimrod From Enigma Variations
Symphony No.6 In F Pastoral Op.68 V. Allegretto (Shepherds Hymn)
Four Seasons Concerto No.4 In F Minor Winter (Ii. Largo)
Serenade In G Eine Kleine Nachtmusik K525 Ii. Romanza (Andante)
Double Violin Concerto In D Minor Bwv1043 Ii. Largo Ma Non Tanto (Opening)
Miserere Mei, Deus (Extract)
Violin Concerto In E Minor Op.64 Ii. Andante (Extract)
Jesu, Joy Of ManS Desiring From Cantata No.147
Pavane
Dome Epais (Flower Duet) From Lakme
Flute & Harp Concerto In C K299 Ii. Andantino (Extract)
Lascia ChIo Pianga From Rinaldo (Arr. Craig Leon & Isobel Cooper)
Guitar Concerto In D (Arr. Emilio Pujol; Ed. Isbin) Ii. Largo
Piano Concerto No.21 In C Elvira Madigan K467 Ii. Andante (Extract)
Pie Jesu From Requiem
EntrActe To Act Iii From Carmen
Ii. Romance: Larghetto (Opening)
16 In Paradisum From Requiem Op.48
Pathetique Sonata Op.13 Ii. Adagio Cantabile
Intermezzo From Cavalleria Rusticana
GabrielS Oboe From The Film The Mission
Air On The G String From Suite No.3 In D, Bwv1068
Morning From Peer Gynt Incidental Music Op.23
Balcony Scene From The Film William ShakespeareS Romeo & Juliet
Canon In D
Gymnopedie No.1 (Lent Et Douloureux)
Clair De Lune From Suite Bergamasque (Orch. Stokowski)
SchindlerS List Theme From The Film SchindlerS List
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini - Variation 18
10 Adagio For Strings Op.11a
Piano Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor Moonlight Op.27 No.2
Symphony No.9 From The New World Ii. Largo (Opening)
Romance From The Film The Gadfly
Piano Concerto In A Minor Ii. Adagio
Cavatina From The Film The Deer Hunter
O Mio Babbino Caro From Gianni Schicchi
Venus From The Planets (Conclusion)
Ion Hort Die Whter Singen From Cantata No.140
Adagio In G Minor (Realised Giazotto)
Keyboard Concerto No. 5 In F Minor Bwv1056 Ii. Largo
Confutatis From Requiem
Dance Of The Blessed Spirits From Orpheus & Eurydice
Water Music Air From Suite No.1 In F
Fantasia On Greensleeves From Sir John In Love (Arr. Greaves)
Gnossienne No.1
Swan From The Carnival Of The Animals (Arr. Chris Hazell)
Ashokan Farewell
Cantique De Jean Racine
Nocturne In C Sharp Minor Op. Posth
Ombra Mai Fu (Largo) From Serse
Concierto De Aranjuez Ii. Adagio (Opening)
Pie Jesu From Requiem
Meditation From Thais
Piano Concerto No. 2 In F Op.102 Ii. Andante
Symphony No.5 In C Sharp Minor Iv. Adagietto (Conclusion)
My Heart Will Go On (Arr. Shearman) From The Film Titanic

Customer Reviews:

Best of the Best collection of Relaxing-meditative classical music.......2007-07-23

ONe of the best CD music investments I have made. Use it primarily for relaxation/meditation but it will also work well with massage environment.
It goes from spine tingling inspirational to soothing and relaxing. Totally shifts my conciousness to a higher plane.

The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!

Average customer rating:

Solid buy
Very soothing and relaxing to listen to
this will calm you down
My Fav. CD!
Excellent for Everyone!

The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!

ASIN: B000002SBF
Release Date: 1998-02-17

Tracks:

Air 'on the G string' (from Ste No. 3 in D, BWV1068) - Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Sir Neville Marriner
Morning (from Peer Gynt Incidental Music Op. 23) - Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Sir Neville Marriner
Canon in D - Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Sir Neville Marriner
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (from Cantata No. 147) - Choir Of King's College
Gymnopedie No. 1 - CBSO/Louis Fremaux
Pno Con No. 21 in C 'Elvira Madagan', K. 467: II. Andante - Stephen Hough
Viens, Mallika (from Lakme) - Mady Masple/Danielle Millet
In Paradisum (from Requiem Op. 48) - Choir Of King's College
Clair de lune (from Suite bergamasque) - Dame Moura Lympany
Vn Con in e, Op. 64: II. Andante - Yehudi Menubin
The Swan (fron The Carnival of the Animals) - Jacqueline du Pre/Osian Ellis
Sym No. 3 'Sym of Sorrowful Songs': II. Lento e largo - Tranquillissimo - Zofia Kilanowicz
Fl & Hpd Con in C, K. 299: II. Andantino - James Galway/Fritz Helmis
The Four Seasons (Con No. 4 in f 'Winter'): II. Largo - Yehudi Menuhin
Nimrod (from 'Enigma' Vars, Op. 36) - London SO/Sir Adrian Boult
Song to the Moon (from Rusalka) - Lucia Popp
Rhap on a Theme of Paganini - Var 18 - Cecile Ousset
Pavane, Op. 50 - Gareth Morris

Tracks:

Zion hort die Wachter singen (from Cantata No. 140) - Suddeutshe Madrigalchor
Adagio in g - Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Sir Neville Marriner
Minuet (from Str Qnt in E, Op. 13 No. 5) - Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Sir Neville Marriner
Kbd Con No. 5 in f, BWV1056 - Andrei Gavrilov
Meditation (from Thais) - Hans Kalafusz
Pno Son No. 14 in c# 'Moonlight', Op. 27 No. 2: I. Adagio sostenuto - Dame Moura Lympany
Belle nuit, o nuit d'amour (Barcarolle) (from Les Contes d'Hoffman) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Jeannine Collard/Rene Duclos Choeurs
Prayer (from Coppelia) - Orch Du Theatre Nat De L'Opr De Paris/Jean-Baptiste Mari
Cl Con in A, K. 622: II. Adagio (opening) - Jack Brymer
Intermezzo (from Cavalleria rusticana) - Philharmonia Orch/Riccardo Muti
Str Ser, Op. 22: I. Moderato - London CO/Christopher Warren-Green
O mio babbino caro (from Gianni Schicchi) - Monstserrat Caballe
Fantasia on 'Greensleeves' (from Sir John in Love) - Sinfonia of London/Sir John Barbirolli
Pno Con No. 2 in c, Op. 18: II. Adagio sostenuto (opening) - Cecile Ousset
Noct (from Str Qt No. 2 in D#) - Academy of St. Martin in the Fields/Sir Neville Marriner
Concierto de Aranjuez: II. Adagio (opening) - Julian Bream
Adagio for Strs, Op. 11a - Philadelphia Orch/Eugene Ormandy
Entr'acte to Act III (from Carmen) - Orch Nat de France/Seiji Ozawa

Customer Reviews:

Solid buy.......2003-09-01

"Music, when soft voices die,
Vibrates in the memory-"
Percy Bysshe Shelley
Music has a great power, and classical has to be the minds elixir. I've never met a classical album I didn't like, but this is one I would suggest to anyone. The variety and selection make it stand out among others like it. In the end, there is something left to be desired, but ...'C'est la vie'.

Very soothing and relaxing to listen to.......2003-05-26

I'm not really much of a classical music fan, more like casual. Sometimes I do need a break from listening to the loud, abrasive beats of KMFDM and VNV Nation and put in something more soothing and relaxing to chill out to. Most of the music I enjoy chilling out to is in the vein of techno and ambient fused with Asian and Middle Eastern influences. Growing up, I was surrounded by a lot of classical and baroque music. Before I became addicted to new wave music of the '80s, I was into Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, and Vivaldi. I rarely buyh classical cds nowadays because I am afraid that there would be more filler and less substantial songs. I bought "The Most Relaxing Classical Album..." compilation because I was familiar with at least 85% of the songs. "The Most Relaxing Classical Album..." is a gorgeous compilation filled with some of the most exquisite songs known to mankind. Songs like Elgar's "Nimrod" and Mascagni's "Intermezzo" absolutely takes my breath away and even brings a tear to my eyes every time I listen to, especially the later because I think of the movie "Steel Magnolias" and the scenes following the passing of Julia Roberts' character. A very emotional song to say the very least. The most personal favorite song on this 2 cd set that I hold very dear to my heart is Pachelbel's "Canon". That song is just one of the most gorgeous songs I have ever heard, not just classical, but any song that I have heard over the years. Although I am no opera fan, I absolutely adore Delibes' "Flower Duet". I can never tire of hearing that song, no matter who sings it. It is rare to find a cd where the title fits the contents of the cd, and "The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!" is that cd. No words can describe the beauty of the music I have heard here.

this will calm you down.......2003-04-02

Hi everybody out there. Guess what. This cd is wonderful. I am a VERY discerning ear for classical music. I usually don't go for the "BEST OF" collections. But ya know what...sometimes ya just need the "overplayed" stuff to calm you down. I mean, for some of these pieces, there are better performances out there. But, that doesn't really matter when you're just wanting to relax. This is great for someone learning about classical music. It will give you a good sense of what you might like in the future. who cares if it's not the TOP performers, i am not displeased with any of the tracks. it always does the trick when i need it to. :)

My Fav. CD!.......2003-04-01

Who ever said this was an awful CD full of no big hits was not too smart. This CD is HUGE! It has only famous composers, and only the best. They are all HUGE hits! It is the best CD I have ever owned. I am a professional musician.

Excellent for Everyone!.......2002-09-05

This CD was a wonderful surprise! Unlike so many "compliation" albums, it is made up of one beautiful, quality piece of music after another, without the usual boring "fillers". My friends who are classical aficionados love it. My friends who think they "hate" classical music, love it. My children and my parents love it. Everyone who hears it playing asks, "What IS this?!It's wonderful." The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I found the choral arrangements of a couple of the pieces oddly discordant, in the beautifully relaxing flow of the pure instrumental orchestration of the rest of the album

The Best Classical Album in the World... Ever!

Average customer rating:

Forget what they SAY
Most Aggravating Album in the World!
A fair introduction to Classical Music
Great for Beginners
Exellent compilation

The Best Classical Album in the World... Ever!
Stanley Myers , Antonio Vivaldi , Gregorian Chant , John Williams , Edward Elgar , Giuseppe Verdi , Giacomo Puccini , Michael Nyman , Edvard Grieg , Ludwig van Beethoven , Umberto Giordano , Riccardo Muti , Fryderyk Chopin , Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni , Georges Bizet , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Johann Pachelbel , Antonin Dvorak , Carl Orff , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Léo Delibes , George Gershwin , Maurice Ravel , Charles Gounod , Erik Satie , Sergey Prokofiev , and Sergey Rachmaninov
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000002S6K
Release Date: 1996-04-23

Tracks:

The Four Seasons: Concerto No.1 In E 'Spring': I. Allegro
Schindler's List: Theme
Requiem: Ingemisco
The Piano: The Heart Asks Pleasure First
Symphony No.5 In C Minor: I. Allegro con brio
The Deer Hunter: Cavatina
Puer natus est nobis
Cello Concerto In E Minor: I. Adagio
Turandot: Nessun dorma
Piano Concerto: I. Allegro molto moderato
Andrea Chenier: La mamma morta
Waltz No.6 In D Flat, 'Minute'
Adagio In G Minor
Carmen: Habanera
Horn Concerto No.4 In E Flat: III. Rondo (Allegro vivace)
Canon In D
Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
New World Symphony: II. Largo
La Traviata: Brindisi
Carmina Burana: O Fortuna

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.1In B Flat Minor: I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso (Opening)
Symphony No.3 'Symphony Of Sorrowful Songs': II. Lento e largo - Tranquillissimo
Flute and Harp Concerto In C: II. Andantino
Lakme: Flower Duet
The Four Seasons: Winter: I. Allegro non molto
Porgy And Bess: Summertime
Bolero
Ave Maria
Gymnopedie No.1
Romeo & Juliet: Montagues and Capulets
Rhapsody On A Theme OF Paganinni: Variation 18
Walking In The Air
Sonata No.14 In C Sharp Minor 'Moonlight': I. Adagio sostenuto
Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
Eine kleine Nachtmusik: I. Allegro
NIMROD: Enigma Variations
Swan Lake: Act One: Finale
Orchestral Suite No.3 In D: Air on the G String
The Planets: Jupiter
1812 Overture

Customer Reviews:

Forget what they SAY.......2003-11-10

Many of these prior reviewers complain that the abundance of operas and vocals degrate this compilation. They don't know what they're talking about. These genres are what made Classical music popular in it's age. In that era the forum for showcasing "classical music" was operas! Hence why most of these works are lost in the shuffle. Most of us know Mozart and Beethoven's compositions by ear but there are so many other great composers that existed and these CD's will show you but a PIECE. But, fair warning, these CD's show only a small fraction of the whole movement (song). If you truly dig the genre you're in for a treat, investigate!

Most Aggravating Album in the World!.......2002-05-26

This CD is the first thing I ever returned to Amazon. It is an inferior product--selections cut off abruptly before the end, volume fades and returns in the middle of a cut...production values are pure schlock here. Maybe I should have expected as much from such a sophomoric title.

A fair introduction to Classical Music.......2001-03-03

I purchased this CD because I am new to Classical Music and thought this would be a good introduction CD. There is some wonderful music on this CD. The only problem I have with this CD is every other track is Opera of one form or another. As a new listener I found that after the Opera tracks I felt I had been yelled at and it was a distraction to the other music contained on the CD. I now know to hit the skip button on my CD player just about every other track. I only gave it 3 stars because I felt put off by the vocal tracks. I believe that when someone is new to Classical Music they do not think of Opera. If you don't mind hitting the skip button a lot or if you like Opera this CD is for you!

Great for Beginners.......2000-07-14

This is a nice recording for folks who don't know much about classical music, and would serve as a wonderful introduction. It covers centuries of great music in a very listener-friendly format. I am sure that I will use this CD in my music classroom. For a seasoned classical music lover, however, the CD proves a bit frustrating, including only segments of masterworks (not even the entire movement of the Holst). I bought the CD for a few recordings, which I truly enjoy and make the CD a worthwile purchase. But I found (and I think that most classical musicians will find) that I already had many of these works in their entirety.

Exellent compilation.......2000-04-12

This is a fine collection of classical songs for those that have little experience with classical music. Howver, I truly love it.

Average customer rating:

A Great British collection
If you like Baroque music, buy it; it is excellent

Rule Britannia

Manufacturer: Nimbus Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Odes | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Te Deum | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Rule Britannia and Other Music from Last Night of the Proms
Royal Salute
Music from the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Marches-1/British
Regimental Marches of British Army, Vol. 1

ASIN: B00004W3JI
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

The Island Princess: Tpt Aire/Sym Of Flatt Trumpits
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: I. Ov
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: II. Gigue (Allegro)
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: III. Aire (Menuetto)
'Mr. Handel's Water Piece': Ste in D: IV. March I (Bouree) - March II
The Choice Of Hercules: I. Ov (Largo-Allegro)
The Choice Of Hercules: II. March
Europe Revells In Ye Peace: Sym
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): I. Prld: The Duke Of Gloster's March; Minuet & Sybelle...
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): II. Ser & Ecossaise
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): III. Bourre & Hornpipe
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): IV. Gigue
'Ste De Clairque' (Tpt Voluntary Ste): V. Rondeau: The Prince Of Denmark's March (Tpt Voluntary)
The Fairy Queen: Sym To Act IV: I. Intro - Canzona
The Fairy Queen: Sym To Act IV: II. Adagio
The Fairy Queen: Sym To Act IV: III. Battle (Allegro) - Pastoral - Battle
The Indian Queen: Tpt Ov To Act II
Son in E, Op.3 No.5: I. Allegro
Son in E, Op.3 No.5: II. Largo
Son in E, Op.3 No.5: III. Giga: Allegro
Atalanta: Ov: I. Adagio - Allegro
Atalanta: Ov: II. Andante
The Judgment Of Paris: Recitative: Awake, Awake, Thy Spirits Raise; Aire: Hark, Hark, The Glorius...
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Come Ye Sons Of Art (Ov & Chor): I. Sym (Largo - Allegro)
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Come Ye Sons Of Art (Ov & Chor): II. Adagio
Birthday Song For Queen Mary: Come Ye Sons Of Art (Ov & Chor): III. Ritornello - Chor
Funeral Music For Queen Mary: I. March
Funeral Music For Queen Mary: II. Canzona
Funeral Music For Queen Mary: III. March (Reprise)
Alfred: 'Rule Britannia'

Tracks:

Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.1 in D, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.2 in a, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.3 in c, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.4 in G, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
Pomp And Circumstance Military: March No.5 in C, Op.39 - English Str Orch/William Boughton
The Pirates Of Penzance: Ov - SCO/Alexander Faris
HMS Pinafore - Ov - SCO/Alexander Faris
Ste: The Planets, Op.32: Jupiter, The Bringer Of Jollity - Philharmonia Orch/William Boughton
Te Deum - Christ Church Cathedral Chor, Oxford/Stephen Darlington
Vars On An Original Theme, Enigma, Op.36: IX. Nimrod - English SO/William Boughton
The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune - Christ Church Cathedral Chor, Oxford/Stephen Darlington

Customer Reviews:

A Great British collection.......2005-10-05

This CD features several particular composers who have written pieces of music that are quintessentially British: Jeremiah Clarke, George Frideric Handel, John Stanley, John Eccles, Henry Purcell, William Corbett, Edward Elgar, Arthur Sullivan, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst and Thomas Arne. The pieces here are triumphant, celebrating that particular period of Empire when the British ruled vastly such that the sun never set upon it - one of the key elements of such triumphant music-making, particularly for the time, was the use of brass and trumpet. Some of the later composers included here draw on inspirations from these earlier times.

One of the featured performers on this collection is John Wallace, who was principal trumpet of the Philharmonia Orchestra since the 1970s; he founded the brass ensemble, the Wallace Collection, ten years later in 1986. In 2002, he became principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland, and the Wallace Collection gave their last performance shortly thereafter. However, the Wallace Collection lives on in performances on CD such as this one, performed with William Boughton and the English String Orchestra. Other tracks are performed by Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Alexander Faris and the English String Orchestra conducted by Stephen Darlington.

Pieces here are very familiar to anyone with an interested in British national composition -- pieces such as the Water Music by Handel are very famous, as are Holst's 'Planets' and Sullivan's (of Gilbert & Sullivan) 'Pinafore'; other pieces, such as Clarke's 'Trumpet Voluntary', are similarly famous even if their composers did not achieve the 'brand recognition' that Handel did. All of the composers here came from the period spanning the late 1600s to the late 1700s, when music was as often written for music halls and public performances as it was for royal events and commissions.

The performances here are uniformly upbeat and well played, with little by way of blemish save the occasional drop and surge in levels (as often becomes the case when recording music with sharp brass elements).

One can envision theatres full of people waving Union Jacks while this plays, and many of the pieces have a quality about them that speaks directly to the time and place of Britain.

If you like Baroque music, buy it; it is excellent.......2005-06-29

If you like Baroque music, buy this 2 CD's BOX SET; it is excellent. Clarke, Handel, Purcell, Corbet and so on are very well played. The orchestration is very good, the quality of recording is excellent. Remember that Baroque music uses mainly a single trumpet, few other brass instruments, some woodwinds and very few drums. It is very easy, elegant and pleasant to listen. When I got married in 2003, I have chosen only Baroque music for the ceremony and the banquet because Baroque music is so lovely, so delicate and so sweet. Even if you have never heard or you think that you have never heard Baroque music, buy this CD; I tell you, you will not regret your choice because it is really an excellent CD. You have my words.

Decca Recordings, 1965-1972 (Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Stokowski in Phase 4 land, Vol. 1
Stupendous Stokowski

Decca Recordings, 1965-1972 (Limited Edition)

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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Original Masters: Leopold Stokowski: Decca Recordings 1964-1975 [BOX SET]
Pierre Monteux Decca & Philips Recordings, 1956-1964
Ernest Ansermet: Decca Recordings 1953-1967
Dvorak: Symphony No7;Symphony No8;Symphony No9
CARL SCHURICHT Decca Recordings 1949-1956

ASIN: B0000B0A0P
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Customer Reviews:

Stokowski in Phase 4 land, Vol. 1.......2006-09-22

Decca has pulled a lot of Stokowski's gaudy Phase 4 recordings off the market so that they can reappear in this box set, but the company had already licensed many out to another label, Cala, that specializes in all things Stokowski. So if you pick and choose, you can buy your favorites recordings individually with a little effort. Of the two volumes in the Original Masters series, this one is the more interesting musically.

For one thing, it features two of the conductor's great strengths: his incomparable Bach transcriptions (no one else performs them with the same total commitment) and his Debussy and Ravel. Admittedly, this La Mer and Daphnis and Chloes have been multi-miked within an inch of their lives, and neither represents Stokowski as wonderuflly as his EMI Debussy collection, but if you love the old magician, you'll love these readings.

Aslo very appealing are the Enigma Variations, which Stokowski recorded only once, and the Franck D minor Sym., though don't expect world-class execution in either case. Stokowski championed early Messiaen in l'Ascension, and here is his last version, along with a swooning and seductive Scriabin Poeme d'Extase.

You have to adore recorded excess to swallow this Symphonie fantastique and Firebird, both gorgeous in a kind of Las Vegas neon billboard sort of way. But for geneations of listeners, that's what Stokowski is all about. What he's not about, sadly, is the wretchedly eccentric and nearly unlistenable Tchaikovsky Fifth Sym., the only performance in this whole set that made me hold my nose.

In all, thee are enough goodie here to justify buying the whole box, unless you want to pick and choose, in which case turn to Cala's excellent reissues.

Stupendous Stokowski.......2004-03-30

This five disc box set featuring the Decca Recordings (1965-72) of conductor Leopold Stokowski is among the latest batch of releases in the limited edition "Original Masters" series. While parts of this particular collection have been available on CD in the past (in the old "Phase 4" and "Weekend Classics" series), some of this material is being made available for the first time internationally. Those performances include Franck's Symphony (Hilversium RPO, 1970), Elgar's Enigma Variations (Czech PO, 1972), Ravel's "Fanfare" (Hilversium, 1970) and Messiaen's "L'Ascension" (London SO, 1970). Other highlights include an entire disc (CD1) of Stokowski's Transcriptions, and a delightful reading of Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique" with the New Philharmonia Orchestra from 1968. In all, another great set in the "Original Masters" series.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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